A 48-year-old Kailua-Kona man taking part in a triathlon died Monday (May 26, 2003) at Queen’s Hospital in Honolulu of injuries he suffered in a bicycle-car collision that occurred the previous morning on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) near Kiholo, North Kona.

The victim was identified as Wayne Scrimshaw, of a Mamalahoa Highway address.

Responding to a 9:27 a.m. call Sunday, police determined that the victim was taking part in the Keauhou-Kona Triathlon when he attempted to pass another bicyclist about two-tenths of a mile north of the 84-mile marker and the bicycles’ handlebars collided. The collision caused both bicyclists to lose their balance, sending the victim’s bicycle toward the southbound traffic lane and the other bicycle toward the lava field. As the victim tried to regain his balance, his bicycle sideswiped a small white car traveling south. After the collision, the vehicle failed to stop and render aid, but kept traveling south on the highway.

Fire rescue personnel took Scrimshaw, who had been wearing a helmet, to the North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. The victim was later flown to Queen’s, where he was pronounced dead at 11:20 a.m. Monday.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the collision and have ordered a medical inquiry to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information about the collision or the identity of the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision is asked to call Officer Martin Ellazar of the TEU at 961-2332.

Scrimshaw’s death was the 13th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year.